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Flame Retardants - PBDEs

Summary:  Flame retardants are used in everything from carpets to foam cushions to reduce their flammability.  Now scientists have learned that the flame retardant PBDE ( polybrominated diphenyl ethers) affect our health.

Effects on health (Washington State Department of Ecology):  

1. PBDEs steadily migrate from the items to which they were added and build up in the fat tissue of living organisms, such as people and animals.

2. Some PBDEs used as flame retardants have been linked to brain and thyroid problems in laboratory rodents.

3. The levels of PBDEs in people’s bodies are doubling every 2 to 5 years, and are 40 times higher in North America than on other continents. If this rate continues, the levels in humans could reach those known to cause problems in laboratory rodents.

This subject is a fast-growing concern and is a problem we all need to address.  We can contact manufacturers and we can insist on more natural and organic materials.  There are alternatives to PBDEs - a different additive can be used or materials that don't require PBDEs can be used.  Some manufacturers have stopped using them - for example IKEA uses none.  But some manufacturers still say that it is not yet scientifically proved to harm users and therefore they'll continue until legislation stops them.

Check out also this article about PBDEs.

Adding to the story ... Readers comments:

Jeannine Arkin :  Is this like the tobacco industry waiting to be sued in order to take the scientific proof seriously? Of course we have the choice not to smoke (it was very hard to quit!!) And, we have the choice not to buy products that contain the PBDE's. It is easier to purchase products in the mainstream but our health and family's health and well-being is worth a little extra effort and cost if necessary.

Sheila :  If you begin to look around at natural and organic products like in the Green Guide you get the idea that people are really concerned and want better. Maybe I don't have to wake up every day with watery eyes and a post nasal drip?

Sheila :  Hey, fellow namesake...thank you so much for the info on the green guide!!

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